Rough Drafts - A Limited Magic Podcast

It's a new Magic year with a new Magic set! This week I'm diving into Lorwyn, including exact breakdowns of the different typal decks, the abnormal set structure, and thoughts on blight and vivid. And maybe some cube talk at the end.   NEW! I included a visual element to this podcast on YouTube, and plan on experimenting with this moving forward. It is a priority to me that audio-only listeners ge...

2025 was my favorite limited year of all time! In this episode, I'm ranking all the major releases and taking a trip down memory lane of my favorite cards.   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

This week I'm wrapping up Avatar coverage with a look back at the TLA format!    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

This week I'm joined by Worlds Competitor and Team Sanctum for All member Ryan Condon to talk tournament prep, pod drafting, and more!    Ryan's Patreon - https://patreon.com/ryancmtg Ryan's Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/r-condon.bsky.social   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

Barrels is a card I was really high on week 1, and less so as the format developed. But I do think it's an important piece of the puzzle, as is understanding the ins and outs of manabases and multicolor in Avatar.  GBu - https://www.17lands.com/deck/906042ff08e84145b0c1dbd0232fd126/0?view=deck Naya - https://www.17lands.com/deck/d2be7ea779194db8962f538215148485/0?view=deck 4c Black - https://www.1...

This week I'm taking a quick look at people's relationships to the data - the positives, the pitfalls, and I'm also diving into some statistical caveats for the set's current #1 winrate common, Lost Days.    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

Green in TLA is mostly viewed as a base for splashy, rampy decks like Temur Lessons. But I've had a lot of success with playing green as the base for an assertive midrange deck, built around Raucous Audience as a powerful two mana accelerant.    Paper 3-0 - near monogreen - https://imgur.com/a/XYmxdC4   GRw - https://www.17lands.com/deck/d2be7ea779194db8962f538215148485/0?view=deck Gb - https://ww...

I've been on a bit of a hot streak with BW, so this week I'm diving deep on the archetype. We're looking at why white is the best color, why black is the worst, and what you get when you combine the two.    https://www.17lands.com/deck/27f18de592d54f25b49da38bea63663f/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/40aa93d10f4243c09d8efef3d92beac6/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/7ef469734d4144c0...

Can you believe they printed Sol Ring at common? And Embercleave at uncommon?    UR - https://www.17lands.com/deck/5ed2d4103c3b4989807688dbada43701/0?view=deck     Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

Normal limited is back! I'm so excited to jump into TLA, and talk through my thoughts on each of the bending mechanics as well as the set as a whole.   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

Last month, I sat down and talked Magic with limited enthusiast and former Canadian National Champion Marc Anderson! We dive into some highlights of his pro career, discuss how limited has changed over the years, and talk a little cube too.   Marc's socials  X - https://x.com/neo_mtg bsky - https://bsky.app/profile/neo-mtg.bsky.social     my Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

This week I'm recapping a couple Rotisserie drafts of my cube! I had a blast roto drafting with friends last month, so I'm going into detail on how to run one, reviewing my own draft, and pitching why this format is so much fun.   Samp's Arena Cube - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/samp Lightning Bolt Pod spreadsheet - https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1YBa9rJ2939sEp6ab4qFWN00pzXk_iEBOw02qug3...

This week I'm recapping my long weekend in Madison, WI at CubeCon! I'm walking through all SEVEN of my drafts, and making a pitch for why these cube events are the best way to play magic.   Cards mentioned - https://sealeddeck.tech/u9mAwcpw2z     Prequel Draft - Everywhere Cube  https://cubecobra.com/cube/overview/everywhere   Everywhere Cube deck - Stompy https://imgur.com/a/AD9y2Fe     Draft 1 -...

After last week's introduction to the fundamentals of cube draft, I'm diving into some more nuanced discussion on cube (but mostly why you should take the good cards). I'm also showcasing all the creative cube genres the community has cooked up!    Sam Black's "Unexploitable Cube Drafting" - https://www.hipstersofthecoast.com/2023/10/unexploitable-cube-drafting/   Sam Black's Drafting Archetypes E...

Are you a limited sicko who's cube curious? I'm diving into the subtle differences between booster draft and cube draft, including what makes a card powerful, and how to evaluate interaction and fixing.   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

Taking a peek at an unsupported archetype in OM1! Black and green have some particularly synergistic cards that work uniquely well in tandem.   Example decks courtesy of Marc Anderson  https://www.17lands.com/deck/b88bf57ed797481b939732539748af63/0?view=deck   https://www.17lands.com/deck/6baac8a6905e4b9996460bddc0270ecb/0?view=deck   https://www.17lands.com/deck/a49e5dd0b89f4f41a13fdafecc89b3eb/0...

An in-depth look at my Arena Cube!  Cubecobra list - https://cubecobra.com/cube/list/samp   Trophy Decks thread - https://bsky.app/profile/sampratt.bsky.social/post/3lu7e627da225   Recross the Path (cube interview podcast) ft. me and this cube - https://open.spotify.com/episode/1jstoBuLlCW1iqthwGZHly Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

A deep dive into Blue White Modified in OM1! Come find out the best little dudes to play and the best ways to make them bigger.    https://www.17lands.com/deck/19710276db5442b0a5f9c975e8bb9c1f/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/b3f0f22acbd7482ba2c807cc1c66c63c/0?view=deck https://www.17lands.com/deck/900c74ce57524ec097a9c50b7e23bafa/0?view=deck   Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts  

My thoughts on the controversial Spider-Man set, plus some strategic insight into what I think of Pick 2 drafts and this format!   Mark Rosewater's article - https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/making-magic/spider-man-magic-meets-marvel   Eric Engelhard's article - https://magic.wizards.com/en/news/feature/spider-man-swinging-into-design   Rhystic Studies article - https://rhysticstudies.substack.co...

Time to take a look back at Edge of Eternities! The final vibe check on Spacecraft, looking back at my early-season slump, and checking after the 10th Play Booster format.    Linktree - https://linktr.ee/roughdrafts

Grab bag episode for EOE! I talk through a handful of sweet interactions at commons, plus why you should be a little more willing to play a Quench.    catscandal's Azorius Midrange article - https://abitterblossom.wordpress.com/2025/08/22/azorius-midrange-in-edge-of-eternities-draft/ Friso's WB writeup - https://docs.google.com/document/d/19PFQ4vazJC_TX8yfsMhwDIjA7Rl6ThDs828tsG9lcHg/edit?tab=t.0 m...

Red week! Drafting red in EOE really clicked for me this week - tune in to learn why you shouldn't be afraid to get deep into the color, and why you should be building your decks around a 7 mana 4/4.   UR - https://www.17lands.com/deck/a842280f5b13479880a666a7fec39fc6/0?view=deck  

This week I'm diving into Perigee Beckoner, one of the sweetest black commons in EOE, and exploring the myriad of combos and synergy this card provides.    BU - https://www.17lands.com/deck/6082db0ccd3e4efea19c5cf4969bd9a0/0?view=deck BU - https://www.17lands.com/deck/c13142f81e02420ca35155e22043ce21/1?view=deck     Sierkovitz - Resources in Limited - should timestamp you to the "Mana spent" chart...

As the format develops, I turn to an old Magic strategy article for gameplay guidance. More specifically, I'm examining how managing your life total (and your opponents'!) can lend you a big leg up in Edge of Eternities.    Patrick Chapin - The Theory of Everything - https://articles.starcitygames.com/articles/innovations-the-theory-of-everything/   UB - https://www.17lands.com/deck/c13142f81e0242...

Edge of Eternities hasn't been kind to me, but one bright spot is the "differently named lands" payoffs have been sweet! I spend some time talking about pulling out of a slump, how to build decks to not flood, and finally why Survey Mechan and All-Fates Scroll are so much fun.   UG Mechans - https://www.17lands.com/deck/46436fc2a4574e7f892fc578abe915d0/0?view=deck UBw Scrolls - https://bsky.app/pr...